Air India plane takes stranded passengers back home
The second plane arrived at Nawabshah airport after nine hours along with a team of technical experts who are currently fixing the technical problems.
The team is currently fixing the plane which had made an emergency landing when it was on its way to New Delhi from Abu Dhabi.
An eight-member team of technical experts from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is assisting its Indian counterparts in fixing the malfunction.
NDTV reported that in a gesture of goodwill, Pakistan had announced that all passengers will be issued transit visas. However, Express News correspondent Ismail Domki reported saying that the passengers refused to get off the plane and also did not accept the food offered by the airport authorities.
The Indian captain was offered use of the airport lounges for the flight's 122 passengers and eight crew, an official said, but refused.
“We had offered full cooperation to them but the Airbus captain did not allow the passengers to disembark and requested just for drinking water,” Sultan Hasan, spokesman for the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), told AFP.
The Airbus A320 from Abu Dhabi made the unscheduled stop at Nawabshah airport Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesman Pervez George told AFP. Express News had earlier reported that the plane was coming from Dubai.
COMMENTS (101)
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Nawabshah has an airport?!
Everyone must try to understand that no country would have refused an aircraft to land in case of emergency
Same in case had it been a PIA flight over India
On the other hand, they surely missed the Pakistani hospitality
Most Indians and Pakistanis need not make a petty issue like this a major topic of discussion.
@Pragmatist:
I doubt it..Offcourse the plane would have landed..as its international law.but not this hospitality..do you remeber the Indian Pakistan cricket series..Even Sidu the commentator said that you cant compare hospitality which Pakistan gave one with what India gave......its a fact my brother...you media has created such a picture of Pakistan. In indian times.com there is a corner for pakistan news... here in Tribune you will notice not much consideration is given to the news in India....or in our media also seldom comes news regarding India.
@FU:
yeah but we offered lounges etc...thts not in international law btw..and if you want you can force the passengers not to leave the aircraft.
Most sincere thanks to Pakistani authorities for all the help and to the bloggers for their goodwill.
@hassan Exactly my thought.It's better to err on the side of caution.In the event of any unfortunate incident both govt. would have been in serious trouble that none can afford.
@Pramod Joshi: THANK YOU Pakistan once again
@Rizwan: but for religion of peace
Great Job Pakistan and Sindh is the Land of Hospitality
well done pakistan..............kill them with sweetness!!!
Just imagine if an Indian aircraft crashed over Pakistan for their own reason and these very Indian s would blame Pakistan for next ten years. It may be safer for Pakistan to tell them that if there is no trust then stay away. It is the only sane policy.
Why the Indian pilot refused the passengers to go into Pakistani airport lounge ?
The reason is, Pakistani public places - as everyone knows - are full of non-state actors and there is a distinct possibility that the Indian passengers could have been kidnapped by LeT or TTP. They will then keep them as hostages and then they will start bargaining for release of Kasab or for withdrawal of troops from Siachen etc. 120 Indian passengers in one big group is a drooling prospect, heaven-sent opportunity for non-state actors. Do you think they would have missed this chance ?
My dear Pak friends, by refusing to alight from the plane, I guess, the Indian Pilot had possibly averted a nuclear war !!
Today's Indian Express has a different version. It reports,..... Moving away from the verbal clashes in recent days between Islamabad and New Delhi over terrorism, a helpful Pakistan “went out of its way” to help Indian passengers stranded in an Air India aircraft that made an emergency landing in Sindh province on Monday, officials said.
Pakistani authorities not only arranged for food and water for the 132 Indians — 126 passengers and six crew members — but also offered baby food, milk powder and milk for the children on board, Indian government sources said. The passengers were served biryani and kebabs, along with vegetarian fare in the lounge of the small Nawabshah airport, they added.
Ashok Tomar, special secretary in the MEA, who received the passengers at Delhi airport, was effusive about Pakistan’s attitude. “The aircraft and the passengers got good cooperation from Pakistani authorities... The passengers were very well treated... The response from Pakistan was very positive and helpful,” he said.
@ROSE: "The Indian captain was offered use of the airport lounges for the flight’s 122 passengers and eight crew, an official said, but refused WHY???"
I guess he was afraid.
What is the big problem. Most of the passengers were coming from labor camps of UAE and they are used this kind of treatment. Please understand the nature of business.
I have nothing to say. I do not respond to these type of news items.
@Rizwan: Forget about a South Asian Union - why not think bigger and make a world union where there are no countries?
Sincerely, Thanks Pakistan!
Where is Mr. Mirza and Mr. Hedgefunder?? I don't see any comments from these two out of three wise men that came out of the Orient looking for baby Jesus????
@gp65:
At no point does Asghar Khan deny the fact that Hindustan breached the internationally-recognised border with Pakistan; his complaints refer more to the arrogance of the Army, and he is completely correct in that matter - which takes nothing away from the bravery of the soldiers who defended Pakistan successfully
Pakistan has in fact been given a number of verdicts in her favour vis-a-vis the IWT, and there is absolutely no consensus to justify Hindustan's self-proclaimed monopoly over the direction of the water flow
It is hardly a thing to brag about that you honoured the water treaty agreeements during the times of conflict; so did Pakistan. It's a shame though that your 'honour' took that long to evolve, because it was non-existant when Delhi withheld resources and munitions that were officially allocated for Pakistan in 1947
Asghar Khan is not an admiral, nor was he ever. He is a retired Air Chief Marsal of the PAF
I would want nothing more than peace with all of Pakistan's neighbours, but this is nothing but a farce. It is, unfortunately, a bitter pill to swallow that like most countries, we have to pander to the obnoxious whims of a country like the US - but we do NOT need to do the same with a bunch of stranded Hindustanis in a flying coffin. They should be made an example of, simple as that.
Hasan
The pilot shoulndt have landed in pakistan if he didnt want help of local authorities. Better crash your plane in india next time.
@vasan: hahaha I have heard alot about south india I'd definitely come to see it the versatile style of it its amazing and all of indian neighbours you are most welcome keep coming again :D and about kolavari song that was a blast heheheh keep up :) Wishes from all of pakistanis :)
@indian: it will be and you are most welcome :)
@Venkat: u/most well come.
@thewhigs: So, lets just keep bashing the politicians. That will solve all problems. Good Job.
Gorgeous aircraft! Thats a 787 yeah?
emphasized textthat the passengers refused to get off the plane and also did not accept the food offered by the airport authorities.
The Indian captain was offered use of the airport lounges for the flight’s 122 passengers and eight crew, an official said, but refused
WHY???
One only wishes the Indian Governmemt allowed the suffering passengers to relax in the lounge. Indian bureaucracy is the pits. The people are one. The governments are two.
I was reading few of the Indian articles & sadly they have portrayed a different picture that the passengers were"miffed" about the attitude of Pakistani authorities! Its high time that Indian media realize the sense of responsibility in them instead of fuelling hatred amongst Indians for Pakistan. The Pakistani authorities were ready to make our Indian brother's & sister's feel at home but unfortunately the IA & captain didn't give the permission. It was their choice to make the passengers sit inside the aircraft for 10 hour's. Indian people are always welcome in Pakistan, there is no hatred for them as long as they accept us, from our side there is no hate so don't be afraid of us :)
@Hasan: Hasan so much anger is not good for your digestive system. We have tried hate for so long ,look where it has brought us lets try something new.
@Raza Khan:Totally agree with your comments very nice gesture from Pakistan & well received in India.
Pity the Indian captain was too scared to accept Pakistan's offer of hospitality.
@Lala Gee: Silly and uncaptainlike behaviour of the Indian captain. What if someone inside became ill, not to mention the complications of prolonged sitting. I would have screamed and said i want to go out and see the town.
This is exactly what the Liberalized visa agreement between India and Pakistan should look like!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any takers!!!!
@Hasan - you nailed it. I can understand US arrogance - It is the sole superpower and we are the recipient of its aid. But where do these Hindustani get off - them putting on airs of superiority is laughable. Pakistani people are very innocent indeed.
@Mudassir: Don't see it as an arrogance.. Passengers might be terrified by the warning of the pilots before landing in emergency..
The venom injected into a common man of both countries against each other through years of educations results in distrust like this. To Indian Passengers, You would have liked the Pulao kebab though I guess its a lost opportunity now :D
@Hasan: "Let’s pretend that they didn’t invade us twice, and let’s pretend that even today they aren’t stealing Pakistani water through the construction of illegal dams"
No need to pretend. It is a fact that all wars with India were started by Pakistan not India. Your own admiral Asghar Khan has said so. Also even during the wars, India has honoured the Indus Water Treaty. The question of stealing Pakistan waters does not arise. Pakistan has taken India to the court on this issue and never received a favourable verdict.
By not disembarking passengers have shown how terrified the world is of us ...what a sad day for Pakistan...BTW does Nawabshah have a Transit Lounge ..?
Thanks pakistani authorities!
Million dollar question is why did engineers had to come from india? Is Pakistani engineers not qualified to touch an airbus? Afterall AIRBUS is same regardless which national carrier is flying it? Pakistani's offered use of the lounge why not use of technical support and charge fee to Air India for services provided? Imagine if this plane had landed somewhere in EU or US than also these engineers would have come from India? Absolutely not. So the reasons are-----?
Honestly, just turn the LoC into a permanent border and get over your emotions. Both these countries are full of potential.
As an Indian, I think it was narrow-minded view of the crew and passengers to not take something that was offered as a goodwill gesture. India is too big of a country and opinions would change a lot, but I certainly would have accepted and appreciated the help wholeheartedly.
why passengers preferred not to go out of plane ,such is reputation of Pakistan
why is the picture of a new boeing 787? when this was a smaller A320?
they refused food and to get off the plane.....typical indians in general, we offer them our hand of friendship and they refuse.
Appreciate the kind and hospitable messages from many Pakistanis. Certainly if the visa regimes between the country improve as is underway, we hope to reciprocate the hospitality.
If they were so arrogant they shouldn't have landed here in the first place.
i hope the airport authorities offered them mangoes...a taste of home :)
@Aarvey,india: Pakistan has as many good people as there are in India. It's a norm if there are good people in a country there are bad people as well. I suppose it's not different in India.
@M.Aswad Mehtab: If a Pakistani plane had to land in India due to some emergency, the passengers would have received the same kind of hospitality.
Bad blood between India and Pakistan is the direct result of certain institutions on both sides and - of course - the bane of all mankind: religion.
Reading the posts here makes me think that both India and Pakistan have played the game wrong for the last six decades. Keep the Govts and the Armies out of it and we will find that Indians and Pakistanis get so nicely together! Saare Jahaan se Accha Hindustan Pakistan hamaraa!
Just shows that inherrantly Indians and pakistanis are genuine and sincere human beings. fact is that we cant change our neighbours and so we better live happily. Many thanks to pakistani authorities for help and care and to all pakistani bloggers for genuine and caring blogs.
First thing first.Absolute tollerance of each other way of life,-religion,talk of my religion,your false must cease every where -in education first.Second non-interferance in internal matter.No terroism,extradiction treaty to be signed,no safe santuary for criminal,then commerce and then freedom of movement.Doable,will it happen in our life time,don't bet on it.
@Truth Detector:
There is a simple explanation for the Captain/Passenger refusal of Pak hospitality. They knew that Pakistanis as good hosts would make them abundantly comfortable & that would have made AI to take it easy. And a substitute aircraft would not have arrived for another 24 hours at the least! The hungry lot sitting on in the aircraft made AI management feel guilty enough to hurry up with arrangements.
jolly decent of pakistan authorities and sincerely hope they are not offended by the indian fears ...
Come on ET, please do not give this a political angle. it was just about humanity. Pakistan has not done any favour by allowing Air India to land it was matter of 100 plus lives. If they didn't accept food fair enogh why try and make an issue out it.
This is a common protocol every country has to follow unless it has some hostile relations or no diplomatic ties with the country giving permission to land. If Pakistan airlines would have asked the same, India should give the same hospitality. This is international law. Nothing to thank or nothing brag about.
@Rizwan: "...both sides should just consider all the past hostilities as bridge under the water..." Bridge under the water?????
Thanks Pakistan . Hope if we can live with love and affection the world will become such a beautiful place !!!!!
@Lala Gee Perhaps he was afraid that Pakistani authorities might recognize the RAW agents traveling in the plane. Just food for thought.
You mean "Raw agents" were spying on Pakistan from the air by flying in a commercial airline from New Delhi to Abu Dhabi??? Amusing!
Both PIA and Air India are risky airlines to fly on but at least relations between Pakistan and India are thawing and its great they landed in Pakistan. Lives were at stake. Glad that Indians can see that Pakistanis generally are welcoming just like Indians, the media always exaggerates things.
Unbelievable paranoia . Well, enjoy your stay inside the COMFORTABLE environment of your aircraft on the tarmac of hottest city in Pakistan. You deserve it.
@Kirmani @M.Aswad Mehtab Can't you please think a little optimistically instead of such a pessimistic thought ??
100 years from now, India and Pakistan will look back at the existing times of hostilities and wonder how they were both so foolish - and why didn't they all get together and form a South Asian Union much like the European Union and work on South Asian Security, intraSouth Asian trade and free travel across the region.
In my opinion, both sides should just consider all the past hostilities as bridge under the water, come to an agreement on Kashmir - the most likely of which is to maintain current LOC and just have joint or independent control of the Kashmir Valley (much like the Holy Sites in Jerusalem) which is a very small area. And then just remove all visa restrictions etc and just work very closely together.
From my interactions with Pakistani people abroad, the people are lovely
I am sure had the people moved to the lounge ,they would have enjoyed Pakistani hospitality
Maybe they would appreciate awesome Pakistani food
@vickram: Don't worry my friend. India & Pakistan have a regular flights which operate without any problem.
air india... seems to air blue
I am overwhelmed by Pakistani commentators hospitality. Many thanks.
Venkat
I wonder if PIA would be allowed to make an emergency landing in India, and if it were allowed to land, wonder how the indian authorities would treat the Pakistani passengers.... @Universal Truth generosity isn't valued I guess.
@Raza Khan: "After all we are distant cousins." I think we are close cousins with distant religions
No politics here, It is an emergency landing. I appreciate the Pakistani authorities for their generous hospitality. Thank u . We will reciprocate when the occasion comes. You are welcome to India esp the South India.because that will be something different from your imagination in all aspects, cultural, food, weather, language etc etc. You can enjoy the Kolaveri song and Rajni movies.
@vickram: Ungrateful Creatures!
This is question mark all of who comments.
The Indian captain was offered use of the airport lounges for the flight’s 122 passengers and eight crew, an official said, but refused. “We had offered full cooperation to them but the Airbus captain did not allow the passengers to disembark and requested just for drinking water,”
We love you Indian brother & sisters! After all we are distant cousins.
Good gesture from Pakistan. kudos
Welcome to Pakistan, our Indian brothers !!
We would have loved to host them in the lounge. Hopefully, this short but sweet exposure to Pakistan would be one that will help them understand us a bit more :)
Thanks for the hospitality
It's good for the passengers, they get to 'see' Pakistan with at no additional cost or the hassle of a visa! Well done Air India! :)
Am really happy to see a lot of great comments. I have to admit Pakistan still has a lot of good people. May this group grow bigger and bigger and bring Pakistan more prosperity.
Come on Captain feel at home
"The Indian captain was offered use of the airport lounges for the flight’s 122 passengers and eight crew, an official said, but refused."
Perhaps he was afraid that Pakistani authorities might recognize the RAW agents traveling in the plane. Just food for thought.
Airbus A320 or Boeing???
Such incidents give passengers to visit the place they would never expected.
We welcome our Indian guests in Pakistan. you should not worry and enjoy your stay in Pakistan.
Best Regards, PakJam
Would it be possible if a PIA flight need a emergency landing say in Dehli ?? Just a question ...
First a military helicopter, now a passenger plane. What is going to land here next - their moon rockets?
Pls use a relevant picture... Airbus A320 and Boeing are two different entities...
ATC & Civil Aviation: Please treat the passenger and crew nicely, let us make them ambassador of Pakistan hospitality!
If Air india had landed in England they might had to pay heavy charges for that interval.But in Pakiland they will get their oil filled without any charges
Air india seems impressed by PIA :D Way to Go
I hope LeT or TTP guys don't get to know of this !!!
Thank you fellas for letting us land. Appreciate it!
And you are using Boeings latest offering, 787, for the image. This plane is not even in commercial service for India yet. They are not going to like this.
Air India is no better than PIA. The sooner GOvernment of India sells its assets to private sector Indian airlines and disbands the operations the better. It is nothing but an unending open source of losses.